Can traditional Chinese medicine be used to regulate embryonic arrest?

Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

Updated on March 01, 2025

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After experiencing a case of embryonic arrest, it is crucial to actively investigate the cause, and it is not feasible to rely solely on drinking herbal medicine for treatment.

The causes of embryonic arrest can include genetic factors, endocrine factors, immunological factors, infectious factors, and abnormal uterine conditions in women that may also impact embryonic development. However, if the cause is not identified, there is still a possibility of another embryonic arrest in the next pregnancy. Therefore, consuming herbal medicine is insufficient for treatment, and it is necessary to go to the hospital for a detailed examination. After determining the cause, treatment can then proceed.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

43sec

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Is it necessary to send an embryo for examination if embryonic arrest occurs?

After fetal growth restriction occurs, it is still necessary to send the fetus for examination after dealing with any abnormalities that arise. There are many factors that can cause embryonic arrest, such as maternal factors, abnormal immune function, and the environment of the pregnant woman. More importantly, factors related to the embryo, such as chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, are the main cause of embryonic arrest. Therefore, after embryonic arrest occurs, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a fetal chromosomal examination to lay a good foundation for the next conception.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie

Obstetrics

1min 6sec

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What are the reasons for two instances of embryonic arrest?

According to current medical viewpoints, there are various reasons for embryonic arrest, but in 50% of cases, the cause is unknown. Identified causes can generally be divided into several categories such as chromosomal issues, maternal metabolic issues including thyroid disorders, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Additionally, immune factors such as lupus erythematosus or Sjögren's syndrome, along with abnormal antibodies, are also reasons. Furthermore, abnormal maternal anatomical structures, like abnormal uterine development, can lead to embryonic arrest. Paternal factors, such as abnormal sperm, can also result in embryonic arrest. Upon encountering embryonic arrest, if it occurs once, it can be observed initially. However, if there are two or more instances, comprehensive examinations for both partners are necessary, including chromosomal tests.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

42sec

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Why are there still reactions when the embryo is arrested?

After an occurrence of embryonic arrest, some early pregnancy reactions in pregnant women will gradually ease but not disappear immediately. This is mainly related to elevated hormone levels in the body. Even after the embryonic arrest, the hormone levels in the body remain relatively high. As the arrested embryo is expelled from the body, the hormone levels will gradually decrease, and some early pregnancy reactions will also gradually ease. Generally, these adverse reactions will gradually ease and eventually disappear about a week after the embryo is expelled from the body.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

58sec

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Will the embryo still grow if the embryo has ceased development?

Embryo arrest, also known as missed abortion, refers to the condition in early pregnancy where, due to congenital developmental defects in the gestational sac or other influencing factors, natural development does not occur, resulting in the absence of a fetal heartbeat. Once embryo arrest has been diagnosed, the embryo generally does not continue to grow, because embryo arrest means that the gestational sac has died and is gradually decaying. If a subsequent ultrasound check reveals that the embryo may have grown slightly since the previous examination, this should not be considered as growth continuation of the embryo, but rather attributed to measurement error. Therefore, once embryo arrest is detected and meets diagnostic criteria, timely re-examination may show some lengthening of the embryo. However, in the absence of a fetal heartbeat, it still needs to be treated as embryo arrest, and an abortion procedure should be promptly performed.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 20sec

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Does an embryonic arrest require a dilation and curettage?

According to the different intervention methods, surgical abortion is needed during an abortion procedure, while medical abortion might not be necessary. Embryonic arrest, also known as missed abortion, occurs during pregnancy due to various factors which result in the absence of a fetal heartbeat in the gestational sac or fetus. Most cases of embryonic arrest occur during early pregnancy. If no fetal heartbeat is observed by the 9th week of pregnancy, it is diagnosed as embryonic arrest. Once embryonic growth ceases, it is crucial to intervene artificially as soon as possible to expel the gestational sac from the uterus. Common methods of artificial intervention include medical abortion and surgical abortion. If surgical abortion is chosen for an embryonic arrest, it involves direct curettage or evacuation of the uterus. Embryonic arrest can also be treated with medical abortion, which involves taking oral medication to stimulate uterine contractions, soften the cervix, and expel the gestational sac from the uterus. A follow-up is required about two weeks after the abortion. If there is no residual material in the uterine cavity, then curettage is not necessary; however, if substantive residuals or blood signals are present inside the uterine cavity, then curettage is needed.